Liverpool’s near-perfect run in the Champions League captured the attention of football fans worldwide, but as the dust settles on the league phase, let’s take a closer look at the top stats and records from the 2024-25 season.
English Premier League Dominance
The English Premier League flexed its muscles during the league phase, with three of its four representatives – Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa – securing spots in the last 16. Manchester City, on the other hand, had to battle through the play-off round, clinching a crucial win over Club Brugge on the final day of group matches. Meanwhile, Spain’s La Liga also had a strong showing, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid booking their places in the last 16, while Real Madrid settled for a play-off spot. Italy’s Serie A saw three out of five clubs making it to the play-offs, with Inter Milan advancing to the last 16.
Goal-Fest Galore
The 2024-25 Champions League season was a goal-fest like never before, with a record-breaking 470 goals scored during the league phase. Barcelona led the charge with 28 league-phase strikes, setting a new group-stage record. The likes of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha were instrumental in Barcelona’s attacking prowess, netting in all their matches and putting on impressive goal-scoring displays. The highest-scoring match of the season was Bayern Munich’s 9-2 thrashing of Dinamo Zagreb on the opening day. With goals flying in left, right, and center, the league phase offered fans an electrifying spectacle, with only eight out of 144 games ending in goalless draws.
Barcelona’s Lewandowski and Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy emerged as the top scorers of the competition, each finding the back of the net nine times. While they fell short of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 11 group-stage goals, their clinical finishing was a sight to behold. Atalanta’s Charles de Ketelaere led the assists chart with five, showcasing his creative flair on the pitch. Raphinha, on the other hand, was a goal-scoring machine with eight strikes and four assists to his name, proving to be a key player for his team.
When it came to defense, Dinamo Zagreb, despite their early thrashing by Bayern Munich, managed to avoid having the leakiest defense in the league phase. The unwanted title of conceding the most goals was shared between Red Bull Salzburg and Slovan Bratislava, who both let in 27 goals, setting a new record for a Champions League group stage. Inter Milan, on the other hand, boasted the meanest defense, conceding just one goal throughout the league phase.
In terms of discipline, Manchester City stood out as the cleanest team, receiving the fewest cards and committing the fewest fouls. On the other end of the spectrum, Monaco, Lille, and Juventus found themselves in hot water with two red cards each, while Bologna led the yellow card tally with 30 bookings.
Lastly, a closer look at form revealed interesting trends, with Atletico Madrid staging an impressive comeback after a rocky start to the campaign. Sporting Lisbon, on the other hand, struggled to maintain their early momentum, limping through to the play-offs on goal difference.
As the Champions League journey continues, the stage is set for thrilling encounters and memorable moments that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. Catch all the highlights and analysis on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport to stay updated on the latest developments in the quest for European glory.
